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Donna J. Haines, age 91, of Willmar, passed away Saturday, February 21, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. followed by her celebration of life service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 28, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar. Interment will be in the church cemetery.  

In remembrance of Donna’s life, the family requests memorials to Calvary Lutheran Church, CentraCare Willmar Cancer Center, or Minnesota Public Radio preferred.  Arrangements are entrusted to Peterson Brothers Funeral Home.  www.petersonbrothers.com

Donna Jeanne Haines was born on June 19, 1934, in Forest Lake, Minnesota, the daughter of Carl and Elvie (Almberg) Meline of Lindstrom, Minnesota. She grew up in Lindstrom and was baptized and confirmed at First United Methodist Church in Lindstrom. During her youth, she worked at the Tri Town Movie Theater, The Rainbow Cafe, and the Dinnerbel Restaurant. While in Lindstrom, she taught baton twirling lessons with her life-long friend, Jean (Westlund) Remes. Donna graduated from Chisago Lakes (Chi Hi) High School in 1952.

She attended Macalester College and graduated with a kindergarten teaching degree in 1955. She also attended a memorable summer session at the University of Hawaii. She moved to Willmar in 1955 to teach kindergarten at Lafayette Elementary School. On August 2, 1958, Donna was united in marriage to John Gilbert Haines of Willmar, Minnesota, at the Methodist Church in Lindstrom. They lived in Willmar for their entire 61-year marriage.

Donna taught baton twirling in Willmar for over 20 years, including many years partnering with Alix Behm in Tumbling Twirlers. She was a substitute teacher for the Willmar Public Schools and also taught Early Childhood Family Education. 

Later, she was a partner and then the owner of Creative Originals in Willmar’s Center Point Mall for eight years.

Donna was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church where she served as a lay leader for the Stephen’s Ministry with Pastor Phil Berg and served on the Church Council. She was a teacher of the Bethel Bible Series, for Tuesday “release time”, and Bible School. She and John sang for decades in the Calvary Choir. Donna also served as a Board Member at Bethesda and was an active member of the Kandiyohi County Mental Health Association.

Donna enjoyed knitting, reading, writing letters, traveling, and playing the piano. She loved hosting dinners and visiting with family and  friends on her deck overlooking Foot Lake. She and John made many happy memories traveling the world together, and with family and friends, including several memorable trips to Scandinavia and Hawaii.

Donna enjoyed genealogical research into both her own and John’s families. She remained close to many high school, college, and Willmar friends – and her relatives in Sweden, throughout her life. She and John hosted many relatives visiting from Sweden and Norway. 

The highlight of each summer was spending the 4th of July weekend with family at Tofte on Minnesota’s North Shore.

Above all, she and John adored their grandchildren. One of her best memories is of playing board games with her grandchildren. Later in life she would sometimes call all four grandchildren in one evening and check in.

Donna is survived by her son, Bob (and Dona) Haines of Willmar; son-in-law, Mark Ruchie of Edina; four grandchildren, Ryan, Ethan, and Carly Haines and Elvy Ruchie; two sisters-in-law Helen Sullivan and Marilyn Meline; several nieces and nephews; and her life-long best friend Jean (Westlund) Remes.

She was preceded in death by her husband John Gilbert Haines; daughter Susi Haines Ruchie; parents, Carl and Elvie Meline; her siblings, Avis Johnson and Harry Meline; and nephew Mark Johnson.

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